Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has addressed the controversy surrounding the Argentina national team’s celebrations following their Copa America victory.
The celebrations have sparked backlash after a viral video showed players, including Enzo Fernández, singing a controversial song that targeted the French team and its players of African heritage. The video has drawn significant criticism, including from Chelsea’s French defender Wesley Fofana, who shared the video on social media and condemned it as racist.
Enzo Fernández has faced the brunt of the criticism due to his prominent appearance in the video and reactions from Chelsea players. Several players unfollowed him on Instagram as a result. In response, Fernández issued a public apology on his Instagram story:
“I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations. The song includes highly offensive language and there is no excuse for these words.
I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my character or beliefs. I am truly sorry.”
Alexis Mac Allister, who was reportedly not involved in the incident, recently spoke about the controversy in an interview with UrbanPlayFM. He stated (as translated by AlbicelesteTalk):
“You have to be careful with what you say or do, especially in Europe where they are much more sensitive than here. The reality is that we are not a racist country; we are not used to talking about racism so much.
“Yes, it’s a very important topic. Enzo has already apologized and explained what happened. I don’t think there’s much more to say. We know Enzo, we know he would never do it with bad intentions, he’s not that guy, he’s not racist.
“It’s just a chant that got stuck and is more of a mocking tone than anything else. But, as I said, you have to be very careful.
“I think the most important thing is that Enzo came out, gave the corresponding apologies, and that, in the end, should be valued.”
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